While the National Enquirer has reported that Oprah threatened to close her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa if more scandal was to arise causing negative attention in the headlines, issued while she was visiting the school for an art festival, Oprah's team has denied the reports and state that Oprah is as dedicated as ever to her girls, their safety, and education. In the 2 years since the school was opened, there have been 2 large cases of sexual misconduct brought against a dorm matron, who is still on trial, and a group of students abusing their peers.

At the end of June, Oprah treated her staff and guests to a 10 day Mediterranean cruise through Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. The trip for 1,700 produced a bill of $9.2 million dollars according to The New York Post, but may end up also costing the staff $1,000 each in taxes. The Post article debates whether the employees will be responsible for the charge considering the intention of the trip was a gift. The IRS may not see the company expense the way Harpo does as it is a gift from an employer, causing the staff to pay the tax. Since the spokesperson for Harpo and the Post's law expert disagree on the outcome, only time will tell if Oprah's team will appreciate their 10 day outing when it's time to file.

Personally, I don't think $1,000 will be an issue for the Harpo staffers the way the $6,000 tax impacted those recipients of the Pontiac G6 Oprah gave out to open the 2004 season. This tax issue shouldn't cause the controversy of 5 years ago. What are your thoughts? Would you rather have a trip with your family worth over $5,000 a person, or not have to pay a federal tax at the end of the year?

Oprah's business venture with Discovery Communications, OWN, will be launched this fall and will include a line-up of programming designed to help you "live your best life." CEO of OWN Christina Norman, who came to the company from MTV, provided an interview to The Hollywood Reporter where she explained Oprah's role in the network and show possibilities.

Christina Norman shared with THR, "Tons of hands-on involvement from Oprah. Obviously, this is her name, her legacy, her vision, so we're reviewing show ideas with her constantly." When it comes to the direction of the network, Norman shared, "This network is not Oprah TV. It can't be. So I think we've got to expand the notion of what it means to live a life with purpose, which includes humor, which includes talk shows, which includes all sorts of non-scripted things, which might even include game shows. It will include documentaries."

I am anxious to see how the network is molded and presented to current Oprah fans and viewers, but also to a new audience looking for inspiration and purpose in their lives. Do you plan on watching the programming on OWN? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

With the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, passing away this week, many have looked back fondly at the 90 minute Primetime interview from February 10, 1993, with Oprah Winfrey at the Neverland Ranch, as one of the most honest and intimate looks into the life of an entertainment icon. Known as a very private person, Oprah's meeting with Michael Jackson served as a rare opportunity for fans to see MJ in a comfortable environment where he openly shared details of his life after more than a decade of silence with the media. Michael spoke about his skin condition, tabloid rumors, plastic surgery, and his greatest gift to the world, his craft.